Mr. Manney joined the Marine Corp right out of high school. It was something he always wanted to do. His dad was his role model in making this decision.
Letter written home on a piece of cardboard.
A "normal" day started with a lot of running. He would stand post which mean having a set position to stand and watch. Patrolling required walking in the streets looking for bad guys or providing security for that assigned position. Time was also spent cleaning your weapons, trying to catch a little nap, and eating. There was no set order to the schedule.
Mr. Manney's first position was that of fire team leader. He would take a group of three other men with him to a designated city and capture the block that was assigned using whatever means necessary. Communication to the top people was essential so they knew what was going to happen. As time progressed, he moved up to squad leader, then section leader where he commanded a Caplatoon Combined Anti-Armor Team. This team coordinated between men and equipment to take out tanks. Mr. Manney also served as a lay leader because there was no chaplain in the area.
U. S. Marine Corp
Echo Company 2dn Battalion 25th Marine Regiment
Operation Iraqi Freedom
July 7, 1998 to July 12, 2004
Mr. Manney joined the Marine Corp right out of high school. It was something he always wanted to do. His dad was his role model in making this decision.
A "normal" day started with a lot of running. He would stand post which mean having a set position to stand and watch. Patrolling required walking in the streets looking for bad guys or providing security for that assigned position. Time was also spent cleaning your weapons, trying to catch a little nap, and eating. There was no set order to the schedule.
Mr. Manney's first position was that of fire team leader. He would take a group of three other men with him to a designated city and capture the block that was assigned using whatever means necessary. Communication to the top people was essential so they knew what was going to happen. As time progressed, he moved up to squad leader, then section leader where he commanded a Caplatoon Combined Anti-Armor Team. This team coordinated between men and equipment to take out tanks. Mr. Manney also served as a lay leader because there was no chaplain in the area.
Full transcript of Mr. Manney's interview: